Bold, creative ideas plot future course

This year is a landmark for Lotus Tours, as the trend-setting company marks its 55th anniversary with innovations bound to set a new standard in Hong Kong's travel industry.

'You need to be different to make a difference' is the personal business philosophy of the company's deputy chairman and CEO, Patrick Kong, and it powers the group to develop bold and creative ideas, which translate into innovative products redefining personalised quality services.

Among them are a new luxury GeoTraveller Cruise Centre and a dozen tailor-made business-to-business (B-to-B) and business-to-business-to-consumer (B-to-B-to C)websites.

'We are a 'hypermart' of all travel-related products with the best value,' Kong says.

Lotus has focused on wholesale travel business and providing services to corporate clients, including leading Hong Kong-headquartered multinational corporations. The company has never dropped below the top three of Hong Kong's IATA agencies in terms of value of air tickets issued since 1965.

On average, air tickets totalling HK$300 million are issued through Lotus every month, close to one out of every 10 tickets issued in Hong Kong. Lotus has evolved into a Greater China operation, with a combined workforce exceeding 500 at the Hong Kong headquarters and branch offices on the mainland and Taiwan. It is the first Hong Kong agency to receive the official licence for a wholly-Hong Kong-owned travel agency in China. The company has been named Hong Kong's Best Enterprise in the travel industry by CAPITAL Magazine this year.